Category: Kindness

Life’s Storms

Life presents us with many types of storms. Regardless of whether they are weather related or not, all storms can be survived if we all work together in helping each other to survive life’s storms. This morning Cee Neuner posted a picture of her CFFC page that I though was so beautiful. It spoke of the many storms we all go through in life. This past year there was a storm that hit us world wide and while it separated us physically, I saw many of us come together online in ways we never thought we could before – encouraging each of us in how to survive this storm. So I borrowed Cee’s photo and wrote a poem about it. May we all learn the value of coming together when times are hard so they we all survive. Thank you, Cee, for allowing me to use you picture.

Storm is A’comin

The storm was a’comin, bearing down on the small town

People were hurriedly tethering everything down

Communication poles were lashed in place real tight

In preparation for the coming winds and their great might

It had been several years since a big storm came through

This one came up fast, but they knew what to do

All the people of the town worked hard together

To be sure all were safe from this upcoming weather

As the storm loomed closer, people gathered down below

For the safety of their families as the winds began to blow

Once the storm had passed, and they could look out to see

They can come back together for the beauty of life to be.

Anita Neal

I remind you as always the power and necessity of kindness, especially during times of storms. It is through nurturing and kindness that we are able to withstand the winds of storms.

Always Be Kind

Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge, April 27

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.

I wanted to do something different for this challenge as the poem does not truly rhyme and have much rhythm as poetry but I always wanted to make a poem in the shape of something. So today, I made this in the for of one of the key words. Laugh with me as laughter is important for all of us.

The Key

So many choices.

How can I chose which

direction I need to travel in.

Which will bring me happiness.

Which will be the most fun.

Which is the best choice.

Which is happy

Which is key

To find

Truth.

Does

The

Key

                 Really matter

           In travel if

    Having

 Fun?

And remember as always the power of gentle kindness. Kindness can be the most powerful key to find happiness.

Always be kind

The Sound of Brilliance has PUBLISHED!!

What a great way to bring great works together in one book. Congrats to all and Thank you Susi for your hard work.

Susi Bocks's avatarI Write Her

Cover by Terry Susi

Thank you EVERYONE who went on this journey with me!

Both the paperback and eBook are now available on Amazon.
If you are interested in getting your copy, please tap the links below to purchase.

For those who prefer holding a book – click here to get your Paperback
and those who have Kindles or readers – click here to get your eBook

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5 Things Tuesday, 5 Favorite Canned Goods

What a fun, never though of, challenge hosted by Salted Caramel, our 5 favorite canned goods. Some things we know we have to have brand specific but I have found that now that I am in the Midwest, some brands are not available so I do the best I can.

Top of the list is Le Sueur (must be brand specific) Very Young Small Sweet Peas. If I cant have fresh peas from my garden, then this is the only brand where they don’t taste like hard tasteless mush.

The next must have brand is Hunts Tomatoes. I prefer the petite diced but that isn’t a game changer.

I am a big legume eater so my favorite brand is Bush’s. Mostly stick with Black eyes or baked. Loving growing other varieties in my garden.

Coming originally from the south, I am big on the leafy greens but refuse to clean fresh one, so I get canned. Turnip greens are hard to find here but I can get Spinach pretty easily. Popeye’s is the only brand I have found up here and it will do.

And to sweeten the list lets add my favorite fruit. Libby’s Bartlett Pears. Served on a slice of lettuce, topped with HELMANN’S mayonnaise and shredded cheese.

Its been fun to think about can goods that have become a staple for our kitchen.

And as always I close with my usual reminder that in all you do, remember to be kind. You may be at that specific moment, the only kind act someone has seen that day. Enjoy and think about this profound statement.

Always be kind.

FOTD – April 21

I love Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge. Now that things are blooming, I have an excused to stay outside.

I love the delicateness of the blooms on flowering trees. They help awaken you to beauty of spring. As you venture out into this beauty, remember it’s delicate nature and how it teaches you of the renewal of life. And remember this renewal is for all living things in their own delicate natures of life. And treat them all kindly.

Basic Needs

The advertisers across the globe will argue with you and confuse you as to the difference between want and need. That brand new sparkly shinny thing you just have to have is a want and it is their job to explain to you why you NEED it.

According to some reports I have read, there are five basic needs for all living creatures – air, water, food, shelter & safety. Every living thing including plants need these things. But I find it interesting that even with these things met, a basic need not mentioned, that if never met, will result in death. So what is the most valued basic need? Love.

Galatians reminds us of the fruits of the spirit and at the top of the list is Love, because without love, the rest won’t work. You can’t have Joy without love, you cant have peace without love, you cant have patience without love…and so on and so on…

I remember a horrible song we sang as kids that we laughed about but as an adult, I wonder how many kids felt like this song : Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna go eat worms. Gross. But it is true. All living creatures need love and affection. We see pictures on Facebook all the time about animals cuddling up to another animal of a different specie just to get some love. They get it.

Biblical scriptures remind us over and over about the importance of love…then Jesus demonstrated a love we could not fully comprehend but are so thankful for. The 15th chapter of John has so many wonderful ways of telling us about this profound love that is available to all living being.

And by abiding in him does not mean Him being over us but beside us…as friends. He wants the type of close relationship with us that you would have with a best friend. One where we feel comfortable to go to him when life is fun, when life is sad, or when life is scary.

And look again at all the attributes of that Love : Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness and Self Control.

Kindness is an attribute. I push for in all I do and I add it to every post to remind us all of its value. Sharing a little kindness is sharing a little love.

So, Always be kind!

FOTD – April 20

Cee challenges us to find inspiring flowers each day. Now that things are starting to bloom, I can again play with this challenge.

They had the ranunculus flowers out this weekend but I knew this weeks weather would not be good for them to be put so they are currently adorning my coffee table. Possible snow tonight! Go away winter, you have had your turn. Oh, I see one of Mimi’s dog hairs across the petals. Fur gets everywhere!

Remember the power of being kind in all that you do. It’s a value that has not boundaries. All of creation understand it’s potential.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Open

Spring is finally showing it beauty in the midwest, although we may get a light snow tonight. BUT, I am open to the possibility to a marvelous spring. I took this photo on Sunday and they were just beginning to open to share their marvelous fragrance.

I have no idea what the name of this is but you could smell it long before you got to it. Maybe be some type of honeysuckle as it was sweet like honeysuckle. Nancy Merrill’s challenge this week is open. Come join in.

As you open up you heart for spring, remember to open up to kindness. We have all had a very hard year and need to feel the kindness from each other.